这课程以比较性的角度来检视美国面对的医疗护理政策问题，包括为全民提供取得医疗服务的足够途径，控制上升中的医疗护理成本，和保证医疗护理服务的素质是优良和逐渐改善的。课程探讨现时美国正在政治讨论的市场和监管政策的方案来解决问题，以及与其它可行的外国改革模式比较，包括加拿大，英国，日本和德国的制度。课程介绍美国医疗护理制度的历史发展，是如何大力限制了可以考虑的政策方案，和创造了偏重持续强调科技和结构性权力下放的压力。课程亦检视重大的医疗风险，和扭曲公众了解这些风险的政治和组织因素。

课程需求

期中和期末考试：期中测验美国制度的背景信息。期末测验从比较部份和综合全部课程教材获得政策教训的能力。学员在课堂的参与极为重要。学员每星期要出席由助教带领，在课程以外的讨论。

评分

课程17.315的评分，是根据期中考（30%），课堂参与（20%），和期末考（50%）。

This course examines in comparative prospective the health care policy problems facing the United States including providing adequate access to medical services for all, the control of rising health care costs, and the assurance that the quality of health care services is high and improving. It explores the market and regulatory policy options being debated politically in the United States to solve these problems and compares possible foreign models for reform including those offered by the Canadian, British, Japanese, and German systems. The course shows how the historical development of the American health care system limits greatly policy options that can be considered and creates pressures that favor a continuing emphasis on technology and structural decentralization. The course also examines important health risks and the political and organizational factors that distort the public's understanding of these risks.

Course Requirements

Midterm and final examinations: The midterm examination tests for background information on the U.S. system. The final examination tests the ability to draw policy lessons from comparative sections and integration of all course material. Students' participation in class is important. Students are also required to attend a weekly discussion section lead by the teaching assistants and scheduled at off class hours.

Grading

Grades in 17.315 are based on midterm examination (30%), class participation (20%), and final examination (50%).